Is Hickory Hill Outer Northeast safe?
Memphis, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Hickory Hill Outer Northeast as “No-go after dark”.
Gogo's take on Hickory Hill Outer Northeast
“Go with care. While the outer residential streets are mostly quiet, commercial strips and apartment complexes in the area experience elevated rates of vehicle theft, burglary, and occasional violent crime. Visitors should stick to well-traveled corridors during daylight hours and avoid leaving valuables in unattended vehicles.”
Memphis Police Department regularly targets commercial corridors along Winchester Road and Riverdale Road to curb persistent vehicle break-ins and retail theft.
About the area
Hickory Hill Outer Northeast is a sprawling, late-20th-century suburban district in southeast Memphis characterized by wide arterial avenues, strip shopping centers, and a blend of single-family subdivisions and apartment complexes. It serves primarily as a residential and commercial connector between central Memphis and the outer suburban fringes.
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban Strip
- Commercial Corridor
- Residential Pocket
Walking and biking in Hickory Hill Outer Northeast
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 32/100
Dedicated cycling infrastructure is virtually absent along the major multi-lane roads, and there are no direct connections to the Shelby Farms Greenline or Explore Bike Share stations.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Quick vehicle access to Bill Morris Parkway (TN-385) connecting to the greater Memphis metro
- Diverse selection of international grocers and independent casual eateries along major roads
- Affordable local retail options and lower housing costs relative to eastern Shelby County neighbors
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain significantly above national benchmarks
- High incidence of opportunistic motor vehicle theft and parking lot break-ins
- Infrastructure is heavily auto-centric with limited pedestrian amenities and few dedicated bike facilities
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along busy intersections of Winchester and Riverdale Roads, mostly in the form of roadside panhandling near shopping plazas and convenience store parking lots.
What Hickory Hill Outer Northeast is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Commercial thoroughfares fill with commuter traffic and feel generally safe for basic errands and driving.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Strip malls and fast-casual plazas are busy, though standard vigilance regarding vehicle security is recommended.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity thins on secondary roads, and heightened caution is advised in dimly lit commercial parking lots.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Walking is strongly discouraged late at night due to limited street visibility and elevated safety risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) services the neighborhood via bus lines such as Route 36 along Winchester Road, though service intervals can be long and there is no light rail or BRT infrastructure in this area.
Parking is abundant and universally free across large surface strip-mall lots and residential driveways, with no metered zones or parking decks.
Things to do in Hickory Hill Outer Northeast
- Sample regional barbecue traditions at historic local smokehouses along Fox Plaza Drive
- Browse international specialty foods and Latin American markets lining Winchester Road
- Explore community athletics and green space at nearby neighborhood parks like Kirby Woods
Local favorites
- Leonard's Pit Barbecue · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.2★ (1650)Historic Memphis institution serving pit-smoked pork, ribs, and classic Southern buffet sides.
- Los Comales Mexican Bar & Grill · Mexican Restaurant · 4.1★ (750)Vibrant and casual neighborhood dining room known for generous fajita platters and authentic tacos.
- Tops Bar-B-Q · Fast Food / Barbecue · 4.1★ (620)Longstanding local counter-service chain serving charcoal-cooked pulled pork and classic cheeseburgers.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.
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